By Seth Vertelney

The Welsh striker bagged an early double and his side was able to hold out for a home victory.

Two Robert Earnshaw goals in the first half were enough to hand Toronto FC a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Reds' home opener at Rogers Centre.

The home side got off to a flying start in the third minute when Earnshaw took advantage of a poor square pass in the back by Matt Besler. The Welshman took a touch around Aurélien Collin and finished low for his first MLS goal.

Earnshaw doubled his tally just over 15 minutes later after fine work from John Bostock resulted in Paulo Nagamura fouling the on-loan Tottenham man in the box, though there was a hint of a dive on the play. Earnshaw stepped up and buried the penalty kick to his left.

Sporting KC turned on the pressure in the second half, and got the goal it deserved with 15 minutes to play. It was pure route one stuff, as a long ball from Jimmy Nielsen was flicked on by C.J. Sapong, and Designated Player Claudio Bieler made no mistake, firing home for his second goal in two games.

The visitors applied some more pressure through the late stages but Joe Bendik and his defense were able to make the lead stand up to give Ryan Nelsen his first win as a MLS head coach.